Adjustable thread drawoff apparatus

ABSTRACT

Adjustable thread drawoff apparatus, particularly in combination with stretch twist machines, having a rotatably driven godet and an associated idler roller as drawoff means with a thread or yarn wound several times around the godet and roller pair, together with a common carrier supporting or bearing the godet and roller pair and adjustable supporting means for the pivotal movement of the common carrier on a machine frame. The idler roller is preferably mounted on the common carrier with means to adjust the inclination of its axis of rotation with reference to the godet axis of rotation. The apparatus is especially useful for providing a plurality of combination drawoff means along the face of a stretch twist machine, preferably with simultaneous adjustment of all of the godet and/or idler roller axes.

United States Patent [1 1 Klementz et al.

[ ADJUSTABLE THREAD DRAWOFF APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Peter Klementz,Erlenbach;

Christoph Nitschke; Herbert Haubold, both of Obernburg, all of Germany[73] Assignee: Akzona Incorporated, Asheville, N.C.

[22] Filed: Apr. 23, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 136,830

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 5/l953 McDermott 242/47.09

[ July 24, 1973 3,416,742 12/1968 I-Ianinger 242/4709 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 235,726 9/1964 Austria 57/55.5

Primary Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder Attorney-Johnston, Root, O'Keeffe,Keil, Thompson & Shurtleff [57] ABSTRACT Adjustable thread drawoffapparatus, particularly in combination with stretch twist machines,having a rotatably driven godet and an associated idler roller asdrawoff means with a thread or yarn wound several timesaround the godetand roller pair, together with a common carrier supporting or hearingthe godet and roller pair and adjustable supporting means for thepivotal movement of the common carrier on a machine frame. The idlerroller is preferably mounted on the common carrier with means to adjustthe inclination of its axis of rotation with reference to the godet axisof rotation. The apparatus is especially useful for providing aplurality of combination drawoff meansalong the face of a stretch twistmachine, preferably with simultaneous adjustment of all of the godetand/or idler roller axes.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED Z 3. 747. 863

25 INVENTORSZ 5-}. PETER KLEMENTZ CHRISTOPH NITCHKE HERBERT HAUBOLDATT'YS ADJUSTABLE THREAD DRAWOFF APPARATUS It is generally known thatidler or separation rollers can be mounted in the vicinity of godets sothat the idler roller axis is adjustably inclined with reference to themachine frame for rigidly carrying one or more godet and idler rollerpairs as discharge or drawoff means. Each godet and roller pair functionto supply or drawoff a thread or yarn, e.g. in connection with atwisting of the thread or yarn in otherwise well known textile twistingmachines, usually referred to as stretch-twist" or more correctlydraw-twist machines. The thread of yarn encircles the godet and itsidler roller in common and is wrapped therearound several times with theindividual windings being spread apart sufficiently so as to avoidinterference with each other or running over one another. Thisseparation of the windings to avoid thread or yarn damage is essentiallythe result of a particular angle, of inclination between the godet andits idler roller, and this angle can also be adjusted by mounting theindividual godet with its axis of rotation adjustably carried on therigid machine frame. This latter technique is much less desirable than asimilar adjustment of the idler roller, since the godet must ordinarilybe rotatably driven and is a much heavier and bulky roller than is theidler or separator roller.

When making an individual adjustment of the angle of inclination of theidler roller or the godet on the machine frame, there is not only achange in the spacing of the thread windings around both rollers incommon, but there is also a change in the position of the entire fieldor span of the thread winding on the peripheral contacting surface ofthe godet, this winding field generally being displaced toward one endof the godet such that a considerable proportion ofthe godet surfaceremains unused. This means that one must use an oversized godet, i.e. ofdisproportionate axial length, in

order to make certain of accommodating all types of threads or yarnsbeing treated on the textile machine. In addition, there is a tendencyto unduly cause a large amount of wear in a relatively small area oryarn contacting surface on the godet, thereby requiring a more frequentreplacement of individual godets.

One object of the present invention is to overcome these previousdifficulties in the functioning of the individual godet and rollerpairsas drawoff means, especially where large numbers of the paired rollersare arranged in parallel relationship on the face of a common machineframe and usually with a common drive shaft to operate a complete row ofgodets. Another object of the invention is to achieve a more carefullyadjusted spacing of the thread windings as well as a more completeutilization of the yarn or thread contacting surface of each godet,preferably such that the individual windings are spread further apartand preclude any interference with one another, above all where thefinal thread winding runs off of the godet and idler roller pair. It isstill a further object of the invention to provide improved means ofadjusting the inclination or angle of the godet axis with reference tothe thread running onto. the godet and roller pair, as well as providingmeans to adjust the inclination or angle of the idler roller axis withreference to the godet axis. Other objccts and advantages of thisinvention will become more apparent upon consideration of the followingdetailed specification.

The foregoing objects are generally achieved, in accordance with thepresent invention, by means of an adjustable thread drawoff apparatuswhich comprises at least one rotatably driven godet and freely rotatableidler roller as combination drawoff means for receiving a thread wound anumber of times around the godet and roller pair, a common carriersupportably bearing said godet and roller pair with their axes ofrotation inclined toward each other, and means to adjustably supportsaid common carrier for pivotal movement on a machine frame.

This apparatus preferably includes means on the common carrier to adjustthe angle of inclination of the idler roller axis with reference to thegodet axis. Moreover, it is advantageous to further include means on thecommon carrier to adjust the position ofthe idler roller in its axialdirection.

Other specific and preferred embodiments of the invention are describedin greater detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partly schematic front elevational view of thread drawoffmeans consisting of a plurality of godet and idler roller pairs carriedon an elongated common carrier member which can be pivotally attached toa rigid machine frame;

FIG. 2 is an end view taken toward the right-hand side of the pivotablecommon carrier'or casing shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of FIG. 2 while further including a portionof the machine frame in cross section and greater details of the pivotalattachment of the common carrier to the machine frame;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the axis of the idler roller andits associated adjusting means attached tthe common carrier; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

' Referring to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawing, the housing or casing l isadapted to receive or have fastened thereto a number of bearing boxes orsleeves 2 which carry a corresponding plurality of godets 3 to berotatably driven by any conventional drive means. The carrier l ther endby suitable bearing members 8 and 9 whichin the carrier 1, preferablywithin its own housing on the I outside of the bearing member 8. Thisrotatable drive is transmitted within the casing 1 to the individualgodets 3 by means of conventional bevel gears, for example in a mannersimilar to that illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,069,745. Thus, all of thegodets in a single series can be rotatably driven by the common driveshaft 7 while mounted on the common carrier 1.

In order to adjust the angle a, the fixed bearing flanges 8 and 9 areprovided with arcuate oblong openings 12 arranged on a common circularor arcuate path so as to receive individual mounting or fixing screws 13which are preferably secured in a releasable locking manner by means ofa conventional ring and spring arrangement (not shown), the screws beinginserted into corresponding screw holes in each end of the commoncarrier 1. These screw holes arranged in the circular path concentricwith the axis of the drive shaft 7 are adapted to receive a relativelystrong supporting bolt or screw 13 which is nevertheless very easilyloosened so as to permit an accurate adjustment of the common carrier 1as it is pivoted by means of the oblong arcuate openings 12 around theaxis of shaft 7. This angle a of the carrier or casing 1 also representsthe angle of inclination of the godet axis with reference to thevertical path at which the thread or yarn 14 is brought onto the godetand roller pair. The most advantageous angle can be readily determinedby a few preliminary experiments in order to achieve the desiredspread-out effect of the thread winding, and the common carrier orcasing 1 can then be fixed in position by the adjusting screws or lockbolts 13.

It is particularly desirable to run the thread or yarn onto the godet inthe vicinity of the collar 15 and then, after several windings aroundthe godet and idler, the thread is preferably withdrawn more or lessnear the free end of the idler roller 5, depending upon its preciseangle of inclination with reference to the godet axis. The best resultsare achieved if the individual windings 16 are widely extended or spacedas much as possible from each other. At the same time, it is usuallydesirable to have at least three or more windings around the godet androller pair, depending upon the amount of tension being exerted, theyarn being treated and other well known factors.

In most winding, drawing, stretching and twisting operations or thelike, it is most convenient to provide a vertical thread path for thethread or yarn over a vertically arranged textile machine, and it is forthis reason that the common carrier or casing l is preferably pivotedabout a horizontal axis which extends transversely or at right angles tothe axis of rotation of the godet and preferably also at right angles tothe approximately vertical path of the thread 14. Also, it is expeciallyadvantageous to arrange a large number of commonly driven godets 3 in ahorizontal row, preferably on each side of a textile machine with acommon coupling of the drive shaft 7, e.g. by means of belt drives whilethe individual godets are driven through a suitable combination of gearwheels. Any suitable drive motor can be used in a conventional manner todrive the entire apparatus and maintain a substantially uniformrotational speed of all of the godets.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the idler roller 5 is freely turnable inthe supporting and adjusting mechanism 6 as illustrated by thecross-sectional view of the particular embodiment illustrated in greatdetail in FIG. 4. The spindle 17 of the idler 5 extends through anenlarged opening 18 in the mounting bar 4, this opening being providedwith a flexible gasket or circular dust cover 19 to protect the interiorof the adjusting mechanism 6. The spindle 17 is pivotally mounted in asuitable bearing means 20 recessed or set into the rear wall 21 of thehousing of the adjusting mechanism 6. At the same time, the adjustingscrew 22 together with the shaft mounted spring 23 permit the spindle l7and its attached idler 5 to be adjusted in the axial direction, i.e.inwardly or outwardly from the mounting bar 4. In this manner, the idlercan be readily accommodated to different godets or to differentpositions of inclination of the godet axis with reference to thevertical run-on path of the thread 14. In order to adjust theinclination of the idler axis to the godet axis, a yoke bearing means 24can be adjustably positioned within the housing 21 by means of the setscrew 25, and these yoke bearings 24 can be individually adjustable ormay be interconnected over the entire length of the mounting bar 4 so asto permit a substantially simultaneous adjustment of all of the idlerrollers so as to have the same angle of inclination or angle ofintersection with the axis of the corresponding godets. Thus, as shownin greater detail in FIG. 5, the bearing yoke can be a common bearingbar 26 with individual set screws provided at least at both ends of theentire series of idler rollers, preferably using a number of set screwsat regular intervals along the bottom of the housing 21, for exampleusing up to one set screw for each idler roller.

When constructed in accordance with the invention, the thread drawoffapparatus or similar devices, especially in draw-twist machines, permitvery rapid adjustment to the most favorable angle of inclination andachieve the desired winding field or span of the individual windingsaround the godet and idler pair. Since the general path of the thread inthe textile machine runs approximately in a vertical direction, thecommon carrier for the godet and idler pair is preferably adjustableabout a horizontal axis directed transversely to the godet axis, therebymaking it possible to execute a pivoting or swinging movement of thegodet in the vertical direction of the thread path. In other words, theangle between the vertical thread path and the axis of the godet can becarefully adjusted without changing the angle of inclination between thegodet and its associated idler roller. In this manner, the drawoffmechanism consisting essentially of the godet and its idler roller canbe easily positioned to provide the most favorable angles fordistributing the winding field or span over substantially the entirerunning surface of the godet.

In addition, by using a common carrier with a plurality of such drawoffmechanisms, i.e. godet and roller pairs, a single pivoted or swingingmovement in adjusting the common carrier permits all of the godets to beset at a uniform angle of inclination with reference to thecorresponding thread paths, and by correspondingly adjusting each of theindividual idler rollers, one can achieve a uniform and carefullyregulated winding pattern as the individual threads or yarns are passedseveral times around each godet and idler pair and finally drawn off inan otherwise conventional manner.

Moreover, it is particularly advantageous to arrange the individualidlers on the common carrier or casing in positions below and laterallyto one side of the corresponding godets, because the most stronglytensioned thread or yarn then runs in closest proximity to the godetwhile the more weakly tensioned thread or yarn taken off from the finalwinding at the outermost end of the godet and roller pair is relativelyfar removed from the godet and therefore much less capable of beingcaught or otherwise influenced by the rapidly rotating godet.

The apparatus or device of the present invention permits a quickadjustment of carious angles of inclination, particularly a simultaneousadjustment of several godets on a common carrier and preferably asimultaneous adjustment of the corresponding idlers with reference totheir associated godets. At the same time, a greater extension of thewinding field or span so as to utilize the entire running surface ofeach godet, ie with a corresponding greater spacing between individualwindings, helps to avoid any collisions or interference of one threadwinding with its adjacent winding or, in the case of the most weaklytensioned thread, with the godet itself. As a consequence, the apparatusof the invention permits a considerable reduction in the breakage orabrasive damage to the threads or yarns being treated on the textilemachine while being rapidly transported on the godet drawoff mechanism.While these various advantages are achieved with the particularembodiments illustrated herein, it will be recognized that minor changesor variations in individual elements can be made without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the present invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. Adjustable thread drawoff apparatus comprising at least one rotatablydriven godet and freely rotatable idler roller as combination drawoffmeans for receiving a thread wound a number of times around the godetand roller pair, a common carrier supportably bearing said godet androller pair with their axes of rotation inclined toward each other, andmeans to adjustably support said common carrier for pivotal movement ona machine frame about an axis extending approximately at right angles tothe godet axis and to the direction at which said thread is run ontosaid drawoff means.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means on said commoncarrier to adjust the angle of inclination of said idler roller axiswith reference to the godet axis.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said common carrier isarranged as a casing around and pivotally borne on a drive shaft meansfor said godet, said casing being adjustably fastened at either end ofits axial extension along said drive shaft means to flange membersprojecting outwardly from and fixed to a rigid machine frame.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said each flange membercontains arcuate oblong openings in a common circular arrangment andadjusting bolt means engaging in said openings to support and fastensaid casing.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a plurality of godet androller pairs as combination drawoff means arranged in axially parallelalignment along one face of said common carrier.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein each idler roller ispositioned on said common carrier on an approximately horizontal axisbelow and laterally to one side of its associated godet, both the godetand roller axes being at approximately right angles to the horizontalaxis of said common carrier.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 including means to simultaneouslyadjust the angle of inclination of each idler roller with reference toits associated godet in all of said plurality of godet and roller pairs.

U i i i

1. Adjustable thread drawoff apparatus comprising at least one rotatablydriven godet and freely rotatable idler roller as combination drawoffmeans for receiving a thread wound a number of times around the godetand roller pair, a common carrier supportably bearing said godet androller pair with their axes of rotation inclined toward each other, andmeans to adjustably support said common carrier for pivotal movement ona machine frame about an axis extending approximately at right angles tothe godet axis and to the direction at which said thread is run ontosaid drawoff means.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including meanson said common carrier to adjust the angle of inclination of said idlerroller axis with reference to the godet axis.
 3. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said common carrier is arranged as a casing around andpivotally borne on a drive shaft means for said godet, said casing beingadjustably fastened at either end of its axial extension along saiddrive shaft means to flange members projecting outwardly from and fixedto a rigid machine frame.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 whereinsaid each flange member contains arcuate oblong openings in a commoncircular arrangment and adjusting bolt means engaging in said openingsto support and fasten said casing.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1including a plurality of godet and roller pairs as combination drawoffmeans arranged in axially parallel alignment along one face of saidcommon carrier.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein each idlerroller is positioned on said common carrier on an approximatelyhorizontal axis below and laterally to one side of its associated godet,both the godet and roller axes being at approximately right angles tothe horizontal axis of said common carrier.
 7. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 5 including means to simultaneously adjust the angle ofinclination of each idler roller with reference to its associated godetin all of said plurality of godet and roller pairs.